What Is the arb.umn.edu Website?

Updated

arb.umn.edu is the official website of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a public garden and arboretum destination. The site is built around planning a real visit: it tells you what's in bloom, what's happening today, which ticketed events are coming up, and where to shop or eat on the grounds. Use it when you want to decide whether and when to go, buy admission or event tickets, or check conditions before driving out.

What the Site Is For

The homepage frames the Arboretum as a place to visit rather than an academic department page. Its main jobs are:

  • Admission and trip planning — the site states that advance tickets are strongly recommended to guarantee daily admission, and points visitors to a "Plan Your Visit and Get Tickets" path.
  • Seasonal guidance — a "Garden Highlights" section features plants currently blooming or of special interest, so you can time a visit around what you want to see.
  • Same-day decisions — a "Today at the Arboretum" block links to the day's events.
  • Event discovery — dated listings for programs and experiences, plus a broader events planning page.

Key Sections to Know

Section What it gives you
Plan Your Visit / Get Tickets Admission guidance and the ticketing entry point
Garden Highlights What's blooming or notable on the grounds right now
Today at the Arboretum Today's events at a glance
Plan Your Event A separate path for booking the venue for private events
AppleHouse Shopping on site
Blog Seasonal stories and recipes tied to the grounds

The homepage also carries dated seasonal programming. Examples shown on the page include a Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk (May 1–Nov. 1, 2026), Scarecrows, Pumpkins & Harvest Fun (Sept. 18–Nov. 1, 2026), a Full Hunter's Moon Hike on Oct. 26 from 6:30–9:30 p.m., and a Northern Lights experience running Nov. 20–Jan. 3 with tickets available. Because these are dated, always confirm current listings on the site rather than relying on a description like this one.

Practical Details Worth Checking Before You Go

  • Tickets: The site recommends buying in advance to guarantee admission. It does not state prices on the homepage, so check the ticketing page for current rates and any login requirements.
  • Access and construction: A notice states the Arboretum and main entrance remain open despite construction along Highway 5, with resources linked for navigating it. Check this before a visit if you're driving.
  • After-hours events: Some programs, like the full-moon hike, run outside normal hours and may require separate tickets.

When This Site Is the Right Resource

Use arb.umn.edu if you're deciding on a visit, want to know what's in bloom or which events overlap your dates, or need to book admission or a private event. If you're looking for University of Minnesota research, academic programs, or department contacts, this is the Arboretum's visitor-facing site and not the place to start.